Münster goalkeeper Maximilian Schulze Niehues celebrates 35th birthday on team bus.

Münster’s long-time regular goalkeeper Maximilian Schulze Niehues had definitely hoped and imagined something different…

Give instead of a present. Preußen-Max celebrates the bank’s birthday.

When the “Black-White-Greens” set off for the tricky away game at Freiburg’s U23 (Sunday, 1:30 p.m.) on Saturday lunchtime, Schulze Niehues will of course also get on the team bus. To celebrate his 35th birthday on the highway. The fate of a professional footballer with which he has few problems.

Some more, however, with the decision by head coach Sascha Hildmann (51) that he had to be on the bench again the next day for the “little Freiburgers” (1:30 p.m./live on Magenta Sport). Instead, the coach relies on Johannes Schenk (20) again. The Bayern loanee was put between the posts for the first time three weeks ago in the top game in Dresden (0-1) because his experienced goalkeeper colleague was struck by nasty stomach and intestinal problems overnight.

Schulze Niehues is now absolutely fit – but still further out. Apparently pushed aside by Schenk for a long time. And that despite the fact that he had shown some outstanding performances in the first eleven league games and was also one of the guarantors of success in the last promotion season.

No question: “Jojo” Schenk also mastered his tasks really well in Dresden and Regensburg (1:2) and most recently against Ulm (3:2). Despite his youth, he presented himself as a strong source of support. But Schulze Niehues, who is also the longest-serving professional in the Adler jersey (compulsory games since 2011/288), would certainly have liked a little more appreciation. Not just for birthdays…

Of course, the Prussians can consider themselves lucky to have two top goalkeepers in their ranks: Schulze Niehues and Schenk. Captain Marc Lorenz (35) also sees it this way: “We are well positioned in the box. You can absolutely rely on both of them.”

For Lorenz, the season so far hasn’t gone as planned either. After a hairline fracture in his fibula, sustained during summer preparation, he initially had to line up behind new signing Benjamin Böckle (21/came from Fortuna Düsseldorf) after his recovery. However, because he was out with flu against Ulm a week ago, Lorenz returned to his regular position as left-back. And took advantage of his chance.

Prepared the first goal, scored the 3-0 in a 3-2 win with a penalty. The former second division professional (103 games for Bielefeld and Karlsruhe) is therefore confident: “I assume that I will be in the starting line-up again in Freiburg.”

Just like Rico Preißinger (27), who will replace the injured Sebastian Mrowca (29/torn fiber) in defensive midfield. On the other hand, offensive speedster Thorben Deters (28) – like the long-term injured Dominik Schad (26/torn inner ligament), Dennis Grote (37/rehab after torn cruciate ligament), Ogechka “Ogi” Heil (23/muscular problems) and red-sinner Thomas Kok ( 25/one more game suspended) – fit on Sunday. He sustained a thigh injury during training during the week and can only watch his team’s performance at the bottom of the third division at home on television.

Although the Prussians (11th in the table) are considered favorites on paper, Hildmann warns about Freiburg II: “We know the quality of the opponent. He is very strong in terms of play and recently held his own against Dresden for a long time. We have to play at the maximum level if we want to get something out of there.”

Interesting: While the hosts usually play in front of an average of only around 2,000 spectators, they expect at least 5,000 against the Adlerträger. Reason: Because the Bundesliga team has to play in Leipzig (Sunday/7:30 p.m.) – but many SC fans Boycott RB – the second representation promises correspondingly higher support. Apparently she can put it to good use. The team led by coach Thomas Stamm (40) and ex-Prussian Sandrino Braun (35) have only managed one point and two goals in their six home appearances so far.

Newcomer Münster certainly wouldn’t mind if the harmless series continued at least this weekend…

● Although he can’t be there in Freiburg, Thorben Deters still has a lot of interesting and exciting things to tell about football. Like in the podcast “Prussia Private” can be heard from the Bode Lodge. Available free of charge at www.preussenprivat.de and wherever there are podcasts.